Needle retraction apparatus

Abstract

A needle retraction apparatus comprising a body having a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attachable to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction. An IV catheter introducer comprising the subject needle retraction apparatus is also disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A needle retraction apparatus comprising a body having a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attached to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction;
 wherein the needle retraction mechanism comprises a needle holder seated inside the body; and 
 wherein the slide member comprises two laterally spaced openings, each opening being coaxially alignable with the needle holder at different times by repositioning the slide member relative to the body. 
 
     
     
       2. A needle retraction apparatus comprising a body having a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attached to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction;
 wherein a first opening in the slide member communicates with a flash chamber. 
 
     
     
       3. A needle retraction apparatus comprising a body a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attached to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction;
 wherein a first opening in the slide member communicates with a flash chamber; and 
 wherein a second opening in the slide member communicates with the needle retraction cavity. 
 
     
     
       4. The needle retraction apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the needle retraction tube has an elongate portion with a closed end that is receivable through the second opening. 
     
     
       5. A needle retraction apparatus comprising a body having a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attached to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction;
 wherein the actuator is a needle retraction tube. 
 
     
     
       6. A needle retraction apparatus comprising a body having a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attached to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction;
 wherein the actuator is a needle retraction tube; and 
 wherein the retraction tube comprises a projecting lug that engages a positioning notch in the body. 
 
     
     
       7. A needle retraction apparatus comprising a body having a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attached to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction;
 wherein the actuator is a needle retraction tube; and 
 wherein the retraction tube comprises a projecting lug that engages a positioning notch in the body; and 
 wherein rotation of the needle retraction tube repositions the slide member relative to the body. 
 
     
     
       8. A needle retraction apparatus comprising a body having a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attached to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction;
 wherein a first opening in the slide member communicates with a flash chamber; and 
 wherein the flash chamber has a closed end disposed opposite the first opening in the slide member. 
 
     
     
       9. A needle retraction apparatus comprising a body having a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attached to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction;
 wherein a first opening in the slide member communicates with a flash chamber; and 
 wherein the flash chamber has a closed end disposed opposite the first opening in the slide member; and 
 wherein the closed end comprises an elastomeric plug. 
 
     
     
       10. A needle retraction apparatus comprising a body having a forwardly projecting needle, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body and biasing the needle rearwardly relative to the body, a slide member attached to the body and having an opening communicating with a needle retraction cavity projecting away from the body, and an actuator rotatable relative to the slide member to reposition the slide member from a first position preventing needle retraction to a second position permitting needle retraction;
 wherein a first opening in the slide member communicates with a flash chamber; and 
 wherein the flash chamber has a closed end disposed opposite the first opening in the slide member; and 
 wherein the closed end comprises an elastomeric plug; and 
 wherein the elastomeric plug can be penetrated by a cannula to establish a fluid path through the closed end of the flash chamber.